The following are highlights from the Fremont Unified School District (FUSD) Board meeting held November 14, 2012.

Superintendent's Report:The School Board and the Fremont Fire Department honored two Horner Junior High School employees, Sheri Erickson and Jason Strong, for their heroic actions on October 25 in reviving a Para-Educator, Harold Green, who suffered a heart attack while at the school. Erickson provided emergency care and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and Strong, experienced in first aid and CPR, administered chest compressions. Sadly, it was learned that four days later, Mr. Green passed away in the hospital.

Travon Willis, a graduate of the Fremont Adult School, was only one of two students in California recognized as the Adult Continuing Education Student of the Year. He is currently working toward his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. His former principal Steve Giudici and teacher Peggy Torres were present to congratulate him.

Additionally, FUSD Superintendent Dr. James Morris remarked:

The district has been named an AP Honor Roll District, by the College Board.FUSD has also been ranked as the 2nd highest performing district in California, for English language learners.Robertson High School was selected as a model continuation high school.

Budget Update:Assistant Superintendent of Business, Raul Parungao reported that although Prop 30 was passed by the voters, the district won't see any of the funds until June, so that doesn't help us much for now. "We have to manage our cash flow and expenditures," he added.

In a bit of good news, he said that the district received a check for $63,000 from American Express. This was money earned back for paying off vendors on time, and by using American Express. Parungao said that the funds will be used to help purchase necessary school supplies where needed, at all school sites.

Agenda Item- Common Core Standards Implementation Plan:The Common Core State Standards Initiative were standards developed in 2009 with the collaboration of teachers, administrators and others, to provide a framework, in order to better prepare students for college and the world of work with the overall goal to succeed in a global economy. California is among the 49 states that have adopted the plan, coordinated by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and the Council of Chief State School Officers.

Working together with the Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, Deborah Sims, a presentation was made by the group of Fremont's teachers who have taken on the challenge of developing strategies, in preparation of implementing the Common Core Standards. Additionally, as a member of the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, FUSD will develop a student assessment system to align with the Common Core Standards. The new assessments will be in place for the 2014-2015 school year.

Agenda Item - Data Dashboard:Superintendent Morris and each Assistant Superintendent took turns presenting a brief overview or a "State of the District" to inform and update the community on how the School District system is doing as a whole. The following areas were mentioned: high expectations and academic achievement for all, professional development, community engagement, the budget crisis, positive budget certification, enrollment growth, facilities' needs, professional development, accountability, the increasing growth each year of CAHSEE (high school exit exam) pass rate, and pride in FUSD's excellent Certificated and Classified personnel.